Masterly Federer chases hat-trick

The top seed eases to victory with a show of class that looks ominous for the pretenders to his crown

Like a ruling lion in the middle of his pride, Roger Federer suddenly decided the time was right to assert his dominance with a roar and a show of teeth.Centre Court is the champion’s habitat, and something regal was required to avert a threat to his dominance.

After being pushed wide to the left-handed corner by a determined Nicolas Kiefer, the top seed came up with a piece of brilliance to show why he is revered as one of the finest players ever to grace this historic patch of turf.

Federer unleashed a backhand from such an acute angle that the very concept of success was difficult to comprehend, but the ball flew cross-court, cleared the net by a couple of centimetres and bounced just inside the sideline veering out of his opponent’s reach. Kiefer could only look in amazement. Even Federer seemed surprised that so outlandish an attempt had